Toy vehicle systems and methods

ABSTRACT

Toy vehicle systems and methods for propelling toy vehicles are disclosed. The system may include a toy vehicle having a body, a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the body, and a first elongate container having a first open end that is configured to receive a first reactant. The toy vehicle system may additionally include a launcher assembly having a base and a second elongate container including a second open end that is configured to receive a second reactant. One of the first and second open ends may be configured to further receive the other of the first and second open ends such that the first and second elongate containers are in fluid communication with each other. The launcher assembly may additionally include a locking mechanism configured to secure the toy vehicle to the base, and including a trigger configured, when activated, to release the toy vehicle from the base.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Examples of toy vehicle systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,410,682, 2,545,586, 2,591,376, 2,683,330, 2,733,699, 2,781,610, 2,918,751, 2,993,297, 2,996,880, 3,003,490, 3,046,694, 3,109,256, 3,229,417, 3,301,246, 3,577,677, 3,613,296, 3,621,607, 3,740,896, 3,844,557, 3,950,889, 5,004,441, 5,032,100, 5,188,557, 5,381,778, 5,429,030, 5,692,945, 5,711,695, 5,839,940, 5,852,889, 5,881,706, 6,315,629, 6,532,948, 6,568,170, 6,679,155, 6,926,579, 6,945,495, 6,957,526, 7,160,171, 7,476,103, 7,537,508, 7,549,416, and 7,617,818; U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. US20020020401, US20060089075, and US20070066180; and Great Britain Patent No. GB2130903A. The complete disclosures of the above patents and patent application publications are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed to a toy vehicle system. The system may, in some examples, include a toy vehicle and a launcher assembly. The toy vehicle may include a body, a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the body, and a first elongate container attached to the body and having a first open end that is configured to receive a first reactant. The launcher assembly may include a base, and a second elongate container attached to the base and having a second open end that is configured to receive a second reactant. One of the first and second open ends may be configured to further receive the other of the first and second open ends such that the first and second elongate containers are in fluid communication with each other. The launcher assembly may additionally include a locking mechanism configured to secure the toy vehicle to the base, the locking mechanism including a trigger configured, when activated, to release the toy vehicle from the base. The first and second reactants may be configured to chemically react when the first and second elongate containers are in fluid communication with each other to build pressure within the first and second elongate containers allowing the toy vehicle to be propelled relative to the launcher assembly across a support surface when the trigger is activated.

The system may, in some examples, include a first reactant, a toy vehicle, a second reactant, and a launcher assembly. The toy vehicle may include a body, a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the body, and a first elongate tube attached to the body and sized to contain the first reactant, the first elongate tube having a first open end. The launcher assembly may include a base and a second elongate tube attached to the base and sized to contain the second reactant. The second elongate tube may include a second open end. One of the first and second open ends may be configured to further receive the other of the first and second open ends such that the first and second elongate tubes are in fluid communication with each other. The launcher assembly may further include a locking mechanism configured to secure the toy vehicle to the base. The locking mechanism may include a trigger configured, when activated, to release the toy vehicle from the base. The locking mechanism may additionally include a surface lock configured to (a) detect whether the base is supported on a support surface, (b) prevent the trigger from being activated when the surface lock does not detect that the base is supported on a support surface, and (c) allow the trigger to be activated when the surface lock detects that the base is supported on a support surface. The first and second reactants may be configured to chemically react when the first and second elongate tubes are in fluid communication with each other to build pressure within the first and second elongate tubes allowing the toy vehicle to be propelled relative to the launcher assembly across a support surface when the trigger is activated.

The present disclosure is also directed to a method of propelling a toy vehicle across a support surface via a launcher assembly. The toy vehicle may include a body, a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the body, and a first elongate container attached to the body and having a first open end. The launcher assembly may include a base, and a second elongate container attached to the base and having a second open end. One of the first and second open ends may be configured to further receive the other of the first and second open ends such that the first and second elongate containers are in fluid communication with each other. The launcher assembly may further include a locking mechanism configured to secure the toy vehicle to the base. The locking mechanism may include a trigger configured, when activated, to release the toy vehicle from the base.

The method may, in some examples, include adding a first reactant into the first elongate container through the first open end, and adding a second reactant into the second elongate container through the second open end. The method may additionally include attaching the toy vehicle to the base of the launcher assembly such that the other of the first and second open ends is received in the one of the first and second open ends, and activating the trigger to release the toy vehicle from the base of the launcher assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an example of a toy vehicle system showing a toy vehicle and a launcher assembly.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the toy vehicle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the toy vehicle of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the launcher assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the launcher assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a partial view of the toy vehicle system of FIG. 1 showing a locking mechanism of the launcher assembly securing and releasing the toy vehicle.

FIGS. 7-9 are sectional views of the launcher assembly of FIG. 4 taken along lines 7-7 on FIG. 4, shown without a second containment assembly and showing a locking mechanism and a surface lock.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of additional components of the toy vehicle system of FIG. 1, showing a funnel, a mixing fluid cup, reactant cups, and a cleaner tool.

FIGS. 11-14 are side views of the toy vehicle system of FIG. 1 showing preparation of the toy vehicle for propelling across a support surface via the launcher assembly.

FIG. 15 shows an example of a method for propelling a toy vehicle across a support surface via a launcher assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

FIG. 1 shows an example of a toy vehicle system 20. The toy vehicle system may include a toy vehicle 22 and a launcher assembly 24. The toy vehicle may include any suitable structure configured to move across one or more support surfaces S. For example, the toy vehicle may include a body 26, a wheel assembly 28, and a first containment assembly 30, as shown in FIGS. 2-3.

The body may include any suitable structure configured to support one or more other components of toy vehicle 22. Additionally, body 26 may include one or more apertures 31 and/or other suitable structure(s) configured to interact with a locking mechanism of launcher assembly 24, as shown in FIG. 2. Moreover, body 26 may have any suitable shape(s) and/or any suitable appearance(s). For example, body 26 may resemble a racing car as shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively, body 26 may resemble another vehicle, such as a luxury car, a sport-utility vehicle, a truck, etc. Body 26 also may resemble one or more other vehicles, such as a tank, an airplane, a helicopter, a water craft, a motorcycle, etc.

Wheel assembly 28 may include a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the body and/or configured to support the body on one or more support surfaces S. For example, the plurality of wheels may include one or more front wheels 32 and one or more rear wheels 34, as shown in FIG. 2. The wheel assembly may include any suitable number of front and rear wheels, such as one, two, three, four or more front wheels 32, and one, two, three, four or more rear wheels 34.

First containment assembly 30 may include any suitable structure attached to the body and configured to contain at least a first reactant 36. For example, the first containment assembly may include a first elongate container 38, as shown in FIGS. 2-3. The first elongate container may have a first longitudinal axis F that is oriented in any suitable position(s) relative to support surface S when the plurality of wheels is on the support surface. For example, first longitudinal axis F may be parallel to the support surface. Alternatively, first longitudinal axis may be non-parallel to that surface.

As shown in FIGS. 2-3, first elongate container 38 may include a first open end 40 configured to receive the first reactant, such as via inserting, pouring, and/or dumping the first reactant into the first elongate container through the first open end. In some embodiments, the first elongate container may be free from openings other than first open end 40. Although first elongate container 38 is shown to include a first open end 40, the first elongate container may alternatively include closed ends and at least one opening in one or more sides of the first elongate container.

First elongate container 38 may be detachable from the body. Additionally, the first elongate container may be any suitable shape(s) and/or size(s). For example, first elongate container 38 may be tubular or cylindrical. When first elongate container 38 is tubular, it may be referred to as “first elongate tube 38.” Alternatively, the first elongate container may be a rectangular prism, a cube, a hemisphere, and/or other suitable shape(s).

Although first containment assembly 30 is shown to include first elongate container 38, the first containment assembly may include any suitable container, which may be a non-elongate container. Additionally, although first containment assembly 30 is shown to include a single elongate container 38, the first containment assembly may include two, three, four or more containers.

Launcher assembly 24 may include any suitable structure configured to launch and/or propel toy vehicle 22 across support surface S. For example, the launcher assembly may include a base 42, a second containment assembly 44, and a locking mechanism 46, as shown in FIGS. 4-5.

Base 42 may include any suitable structure configured to be supported on support surface S and/or to support one or more other components of launcher assembly 24. For example, base 42 may include a projecting portion 48, as shown in FIG. 4, configured to allow a user to apply pressure to the projecting portion to keep the launcher assembly stationary, such as when a trigger of locking mechanism 46 is activated. The user may, for example, step on the projecting portion of the base when activating the trigger.

Second containment assembly 44 may include any suitable structure attached to the base and configured to contain at least a second reactant 50 and/or a mixing fluid 52. For example, the second containment assembly may include a second elongate container 54, as shown in FIGS. 4-5. The second elongate container may have a second longitudinal axis N that is oriented in any suitable position(s) relative to support surface S when the base in on the support surface. For example, second longitudinal axis N may be parallel to the support surface. Alternatively, second longitudinal axis may be non-parallel to that surface.

As shown in FIGS. 4-5, the second elongate container may include a second open end 56 configured to receive the second reactant and/or mixing fluid, such as via inserting, pouring, and/or dumping the second reactant and/or water into the second elongate container through the second open end. In some embodiments, the second elongate container may be free from openings other than second open end 56. Although second elongate container 54 is shown to include a second open end 56, the second elongate container may alternatively include closed ends and at least one opening in one or more sides of the second elongate container.

Second open end 56 and/or second elongate container 54 may be configured to receive first open end 40 and/or at least a portion of first elongate container 38 such that the first and second elongate containers are in fluid communication with each other, which may allow the first reactant, the second reactant, and/or the mixing fluid to mix and to chemically react to generate pressure within the first and second elongate containers. When the first open end and/or at least a portion of the first elongate container is received in the second open end and/or at least portion of the second elongate container, the first and second elongate containers may be configured such that the first and second longitudinal axes are aligned and/or co-axial.

Although second open end 56 and/or second elongate container 54 are shown to be configured to receive first open end 40 and/or at least a portion of first elongate container 38, the first open end and/or the first elongate container may alternatively be configured to receive the second open end and/or at least a portion of the second elongate container.

The first and second reactants (and/or the mixing fluid) may be configured to chemically react when the first and second elongate containers are in fluid communication with each other to build pressure within the first and/or second elongate containers. The first and second elongate containers may therefore be described as first and second parts that form a reaction chamber when in fluid communication with each other. The first and second reactants and the mixing fluid are further described below.

Second elongate container 54 may be detachable from the base. Additionally, the second elongate container may be any suitable shape(s) and/or size(s). For example, second elongate container 54 may be tubular or cylindrical. When second elongate container 54 is tubular, it may be referred to as “second elongate tube 54.” Alternatively, the second elongate container may be a rectangular prism, a cube, a hemisphere, and/or other suitable shape(s) complementary with the first elongate container.

Although second containment assembly 44 is shown to include second elongate container 54, the second containment assembly may include any suitable container, which may be a non-elongate container. Additionally, although second containment assembly 44 is shown to include a single elongate container 54, the second containment assembly may include two, three, four, or more containers complementary with the first elongate container(s).

Locking mechanism 46 may include any suitable structure configured to selectively secure and/or lock the toy vehicle to the base. For example, the locking mechanism may include one or more locking levers 58 and a trigger 60, as shown in FIG. 6. The locking levers may be configured to be received in apertures 31 of body 26, such as when the first open end and/or first elongate container are received in the second open end and/or at least a portion of the second elongate container.

As shown in FIG. 6, locking levers 58 may be configured to move between a locking position L in which the locking levers are received in the apertures, and an unlocking position U in which the locking levers are spaced from the apertures relative to the locking position. When in the unlocking position, the toy vehicle may be released from the base and/or allowed to be propelled and/or launched relative to the launcher assembly across the support surface, such as via the pressure generated in the first and/or second elongate containers from the chemical reaction of the first and second reactants.

Trigger 60 may be configured, when activated, to move locking lever(s) 58 from the locking position toward the unlocking position. For example, trigger 60 may include a user-actuable button 62 configured to be pushed down by a user to move the locking levers toward the unlocking position, as shown in FIGS. 4-6. In some embodiments, the user-actuable button may be configured to be stepped on to move the locking levers toward the unlocking position. A user may apply pressure, such as by stepping, on the projecting portion when the trigger is activated, as shown in FIG. 6. Although trigger 60 is shown to include a user-actuable button 62, the trigger may alternatively, or additionally, include a cord, lever, knob, and/or other suitable trigger.

FIGS. 7-9 show an example of locking mechanism 46. In addition to locking levers 58 and trigger 60, the locking mechanism may include one or more lever bias elements 66 and one or more connectors 68. The lever bias elements may be configured to urge one or more locking levers 58 toward the locking position. Activating trigger 60 may therefore move the locking levers toward the unlocking position against the urging of the lever bias elements.

Connectors 68 may operatively connect one or more locking levers 58 with other locking levers, such as to allow the trigger to move one or more of the locking levers simultaneously, consecutively, and/or in any suitable order. For example, as shown in FIGS. 7-9, a first locking lever 58 may be pivotally connected to trigger 60, while second and third locking levers 58 may be connected to the trigger via one or more of connector 68. Additionally, connectors 68 may operatively connect the trigger and/or locking levers to a surface lock, as further discussed below. Although connectors 68 are shown to connect the trigger, locking levers, and/or surface lock, the connectors may alternatively, or additionally, be connected via one or more bias elements, such as lever bias elements 66.

In some embodiments, locking mechanism 46 may include a surface lock 70. The surface lock may include any suitable structure configured to (a) detect whether base 42 is supported on a support surface, (b) prevent trigger 60 from being activated when the surface lock does not detect that the base is supported on a support surface, and/or (c) allow the trigger to be activated when the surface lock detects that the base is supported on a support surface. For example, surface lock 70 may include a surface detector 72, a locking element 74, and a lock bias element 76, as shown in FIGS. 7-9.

Surface detector 72 may include any suitable structure configured to detect whether base 42 is supported on a support surface. For example, surface detector 72 may include a pin 78 movably connected to the base, as shown in FIGS. 7-9. The pin may be configured to move between a retracted position R in which the pin is adjacent to the base, and an extended position E in which the pin is spaced from the base relative to the retracted position. For example, the pin may be moved from the extended position to the retracted position when base 42 is placed on a support surface, as shown in FIGS. 7-9.

Locking element 74 may include any suitable structure configured to prevent trigger 60 from being activated when the surface lock does not detect that the base is supported on a support surface, and/or allow the trigger to be activated when the surface lock detects that the base is supported on a support surface. For example, locking element 74 may include a slider 80 configured to move between a proximal position P in which the slider contacts one or more connectors 68, and a distal position D in which the slider is spaced from the one or more connectors, as shown in FIGS. 7-9.

Lock bias element 76 may include any suitable structure configured to urge locking element 74 toward the proximal position and/or surface detector 72 toward the extended position. For example, lock bias element 76 may include one or more coil springs 82, as shown in FIGS. 7-9.

Although locking mechanism 46 is shown to include three locking levers 58, the locking mechanism may include one, two, four, five, or more locking levers. Additionally, although locking mechanism 46 is shown to include locking levers 58 and toy vehicle 22 is shown to include apertures 31, the locking mechanism may alternatively, or additionally, include the apertures and the toy vehicle may alternatively, or additionally, include the locking levers. Moreover, although apertures 31 and locking levers 58 are shown, the locking mechanism and toy vehicle may include any suitable locking elements that interact with each other to secure the toy vehicle to the launcher assembly.

In some embodiments, toy vehicle system 20 may include first reactant 36 and/or second reactant 50, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The first and second reactants may include any suitable chemicals configured to react with each other to generate pressure within the first and second elongate containers. For example, first reactant 36 may include citric acid, and second reactant 50 may include sodium bicarbonate. Alternatively, the first reactant may include vinegar, and the second reactant may include soda powder. Other chemicals may alternatively be used as the first and/or second reactants.

The first and second reactants may be in solid and/or liquid form. When the first and/or second reactants are in solid or powder form, mixing fluid 52, such as water or another aqueous-based solution, may be added to the first and/or second elongate container. The first and/or second elongate containers may be sized to contain the mixing fluid and the first and/or second reactants.

In some embodiments, toy vehicle system 20 may include a funnel 88, reactant cups 90, a mixing fluid cup 92, and a cleaner tool 94, as shown in FIG. 10. Funnel 88 may be used to facilitate the addition of the first and/or second reactants (and/or the mixing fluid) into the first and/or second elongate containers. Reactant cups 90 may be used to contain the first and/or second reactants prior to adding those reactants into the first and/or second elongate containers. Mixing fluid cup 92 may be used to contain the mixing fluid prior to adding that fluid into the first and/or second elongate containers.

Cleaner tool 94 may include any suitable structure configured to clean the first and/or second elongate containers. For example, cleaner tool 94 may include a rod 96 and an o-ring 98, as shown in FIG. 10. A user may insert cleaner tool 94 into the first and/or second elongate containers to clean those containers.

To prepare the toy vehicle for launching or propelling by the launcher assembly, mixing fluid 52 may be poured into second elongate container 54 via mixing fluid cup 92, while funnel 88 may be positioned in the first open end of first elongate container 38, as shown in FIG. 11. Additionally, second reactant 50 may be poured into second elongate container 54 via reactant cup 90, while first reactant 36 may be poured through funnel 88 and into first elongate container 38 via another reactant cup 90. Toy vehicle 22 may then be attached to launcher assembly 24, as shown in FIGS. 13-14. The toy vehicle may then be released and propelled across the support surface by applying pressure on the projecting portion and activating the trigger, as described above.

FIG. 15 shows an example of a method 100 for propelling a toy vehicle, such as the toy vehicle described above, across a support surface via a launcher assembly, such as the launcher assembly described above. While FIG. 15 shows illustrative steps of a method according to one example, other examples may omit, add to, and/or modify any of the steps shown in that figure. At 102, a first reactant, such as citric acid, is added into the first elongate container through the first open end. At 104, a second reactant, such as sodium bicarbonate, is added into the second elongate container through the second open end. At 106, the toy vehicle may be attached to the base of the launcher assembly such that the first open end of the first elongate container is received in the second open end of the second elongate container (or vice-versa). At 108, the trigger of the launcher assembly may be activated to release the toy vehicle from the base of the launcher assembly.

Method 100 may include other steps. For example, when the first and/or second reactants are in solid form, the method may include adding a mixing fluid, such as water, into the first and/or second elongate containers prior to attaching the toy vehicle to the launcher assembly. Additionally, or alternatively, method 100 may include shaking the toy vehicle while attached to the launcher assembly, such as to promote mixing of the first and/or second reactants. Alternatively, or additionally, method 100 may include placing the base of the launcher assembly on a support surface, such as prior to activating the trigger (which may allow the trigger to be activated if the launcher assembly includes a surface lock as discussed above).

Alternatively, or additionally, method 100 may include applying pressure to a projecting portion of the launcher assembly to keep that assembly stationary relative to the toy vehicle when the trigger of the launcher assembly is activated. In some embodiments, applying pressure includes stepping on the projecting portion to keep the launcher assembly stationary relative to the toy vehicle when the trigger is activated.

It is believed that the disclosure set forth herein encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the disclosure includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein.

Applicant reserves the right to submit claims directed to certain combinations and subcombinations that are directed to one of the disclosed inventions and are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in that or a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure. Where such claims recite “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. 

1. A toy vehicle system, comprising: a toy vehicle, including: a body, a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the body, a first elongate container attached to the body and having a first open end that is configured to receive a first reactant; and a launcher assembly, including: a base, a second elongate container attached to the base and having a second open end that is configured to receive a second reactant, wherein one of the first and second open ends is configured to further receive the other of the first and second open ends such that the first and second elongate containers are in fluid communication with each other; and a locking mechanism configured to secure the toy vehicle to the base, the locking mechanism including a trigger configured, when activated, to release the toy vehicle from the base, wherein the first and second reactants may chemically react when the first and second elongate containers are in fluid communication with each other to build pressure within the first and second elongate containers allowing the toy vehicle to be propelled relative to the launcher assembly across a support surface when the trigger is activated.
 2. The toy vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the first elongate container includes a first longitudinal axis, and the second elongate container includes a second longitudinal axis, the first and second elongate containers being configured such that the first and second longitudinal axes are co-axial when the other of the first and second open ends is received in the one of the first and second open ends.
 3. The toy vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to secure the toy vehicle to the base when the other of the first and second open ends is received in the one of the first and second open ends.
 4. The toy vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the body includes at least one aperture and the locking mechanism includes at least one locking lever configured to be received in the at least one aperture, the at least one locking lever configured to move between a locking position in which the at least one locking lever is received in the at least one aperture, and an unlocking position in which the at least one locking lever is spaced from the at least one aperture relative to the locking position.
 5. The toy vehicle system of claim 4, wherein the trigger is configured, when activated, to move the at least one locking lever from the locking position toward the unlocking position.
 6. The toy vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism further includes a surface lock configured to (a) detect whether the base is supported on a support surface, (b) prevent the trigger from being activated when the surface lock does not detect that the base is supported on a support surface, and (c) allow the trigger to be activated when the surface lock detects that the base is supported on a support surface.
 7. The toy vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the base includes a projecting portion configured to allow a user to apply pressure to the projecting portion to keep the launcher assembly stationary when the trigger is activated.
 8. The toy vehicle system of claim 7, wherein the projecting portion is configured to allow a user to step on the projecting portion to keep the launcher assembly stationary when the trigger is activated.
 9. The toy vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the trigger includes a user-actuable button.
 10. The toy vehicle system of claim 9, wherein the user-actuable button is configured to be activated by a user by stepping on the user-actuable button.
 11. The toy vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the first elongate container is free from openings other than the first open end, and the second elongate container is free from openings other than the second open end.
 12. A toy vehicle system, comprising: a first reactant; a toy vehicle, including: a body, a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the body, a first elongate tube attached to the body and sized to contain the first reactant, the first elongate tube having a first open end; a second reactant; and a launcher assembly, including: a base, a second elongate tube attached to the base and sized to contain the second reactant, the second elongate tube having a second open end, wherein one of the first and second open ends is configured to further receive the other of the first and second open ends such that the first and second elongate tubes are in fluid communication with each other; and a locking mechanism configured to secure the toy vehicle to the base, the locking mechanism including: a trigger configured, when activated, to release the toy vehicle from the base, and a surface lock configured to (a) detect whether the base is supported on a support surface, (b) prevent the trigger from being activated when the surface lock does not detect that the base is supported on a support surface, and (c) allow the trigger to be activated when the surface lock detects that the base is supported on a support surface, wherein the first and second reactants may chemically react when the first and second elongate tubes are in fluid communication with each other to build pressure within the first and second elongate tubes allowing the toy vehicle to be propelled relative to the launcher assembly across a support surface when the trigger is activated.
 13. The toy vehicle system of claim 12, wherein the first reactant includes citric acid.
 14. The toy vehicle system of claim 13, wherein the second reactant includes sodium bicarbonate.
 15. The toy vehicle system of claim 14, wherein the citric acid and sodium bicarbonate are in powder form, and wherein at least one of the first and second elongate tubes is sized to contain water.
 16. A method for propelling a toy vehicle across a support surface via a launcher assembly, the toy vehicle including a body, a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the body, and a first elongate container attached to the body and having a first open end, the launcher assembly including a base, a second elongate container attached to the base and having a second open end, wherein one of the first and second open ends is configured to further receive the other of the first and second open ends such that the first and second elongate containers are in fluid communication with each other, and a locking mechanism configured to secure the toy vehicle to the base, the locking mechanism including a trigger configured, when activated, to release the toy vehicle from the base, the method comprising: adding a first reactant into the first elongate container through the first open end; adding a second reactant into the second elongate container through the second open end; attaching the toy vehicle to the base of the launcher assembly such that the other of the first and second open ends is received in the one of the first and second open ends; and activating the trigger to release the toy vehicle from the base of the launcher assembly.
 17. The method of claim 16, where the first and second reactants are in solid form, further comprising adding a mixing fluid into at least one of the first and second elongate containers prior to attaching the toy vehicle to the launcher assembly.
 18. The method of claim 16, further comprising placing the base on a support surface prior to activating the trigger.
 19. The method of claim 16, where the base includes a projecting portion, and further comprising applying pressure to the projecting portion to keep the launcher assembly stationary relative to the toy vehicle when the trigger is activated.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein applying pressure to the projecting portion includes stepping on the projecting portion to keep the launcher assembly stationary relative to the toy vehicle when the trigger is activated. 